Spaulding Rehabilitation Recognized Again as a Top Scoring Company in the 2024 Disability Equality Index®
For the eighth year in a row, Spaulding is honored as a “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.”
Boston, MA – Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) released the 2024 Disability Equality Index (DEI) – the eighth year measured by the Index. Among the record 542 corporations was the Boston-based Spaulding Rehabilitation, a member of Mass General Brigham, which earned the highest score possible of 100 on the Index for the fifth straight year. In 2024, participating corporations, including 71 Fortune 100 and 220 Fortune 500, utilized the Disability Equality Index to benchmark their disability inclusion efforts.
“Keeping diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as a guiding principle is vital to producing better outcomes for patients. All of us at Spaulding are proud that we continue to be recognized for our ongoing dedication to creating an inclusive workplace. This honor reflects the commitment by our entire team and will help energize our efforts to push these values to the forefront of all we do,” said Dr. Ross Zafonte, president, Spaulding Rehabilitation.
In addition to Spaulding Rehabilitation, this year also marked the first year that fellow Mass General Brigham member Mass General Hospital was honored by the Disability Equality Index with a score of 100.
The Disability Equality Index was originally created through support from the Disability Equality Index Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts and disability advocates. Now in its 10th year, the Disability Equality Index exists to help businesses make a positive impact on the unemployment/underemployment of people with disabilities, while also helping companies create long term value for employees and shareholders and mitigate risk from new legislative requirements.
The 2024 Disability Equality Index measured Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits; Recruitment; Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement; Accommodations); Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; and Responsible Procurement (Non-Weighted). The Disability Equality Index requires 30-40 hours to complete each year and is completed online. It was originally modeled off the template established by the Corporate Equality Index that highlights LGBTQ+-inclusive workplace policies.
"On the 10th anniversary of the Disability Equality Index, we’re extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies that are taking a proactive role in leading progress towards disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow. Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only attracts top talent but also drives innovation and creates sustainable performance in today's global market. Together, we are creating a future where everyone can contribute and thrive,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN.
The recognition of being a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” is reserved for those companies that have scored 80 or above on the DEI. Read the full company list.
About Spaulding Rehabilitation
A member of the Mass General Brigham Health System, Spaulding Rehabilitation includes Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, with a main campus in Charlestown the 3rd ranked in the nation for rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report, along with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cambridge, Spaulding Rehabilitation Nursing and Therapy Center Brighton, and over 25 outpatient sites throughout Eastern Massachusetts. An acclaimed teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and home to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding is recognized as a top residency program in the U.S. in the Doximity Residency Navigator. Spaulding also was recognized by the 2024 Disability Equality Index as a “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.” For more information, visit www.spauldingrehab.org.